We investigate the ability of gold nanoparticles of different size, shape, and organization to control the growing process of ZnO semiconductor nanoparticles onto solid substrates through the successive chemical solution deposition (SCSD) method. Flower-like assemblies of ZnO nanostructures were grown successfully on periodic arrays of triangular gold nanoparticles fabricated by nanosphere lithography and randomly deposited colloidal gold nanospheres. Their morphology, crystallinity, phase purity, and vibrational properties were correlated with the metallic features of the substrates.